At last, we have Pomare buoy back in the water. Many thanks to Gary Ardern for much help and supply of chain and shackles. We also moved Oyster buoy a bit closer to where it originally was before Kantime took it on a little cruise. At half tide both are in 4.5mtrs of water so anything above that will be ok for A Division.
Happy Sailing!
6.30pm Saturday 1st November – join us for an evening of tasting local cheeses, wines, beer and sausages.
There will be a range of New Zealand wines from amongst others Villa Maria, Beers from Phat House, Cheeses from Mahoe and handmade sausages from our very own Galley Bistro. The focus will be on tasting locally produced artisan products. Join us for a fun evening of food, entertainment, games and prizes.
Tickets are just $10 per person. Places are limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Our first BBQ in the Bay is fast approaching on Sunday 19th of October. The destination will be chosen hopefully by Wednesday 15th and it will be posted on the OCC Racing WhatsApp Page and on the blackboard outside OCC.
If the weather is suitable Long Beach at Russell is a likely destination, as people can get there by car if their boats are not yet ready for action. The Club BBQ will be fired up by 1pm and with low water at 1.48pm there will be plenty of space on the beach for fun and games, and the incoming tide will return us to Opua later in the afternoon – what could possibly go wrong 🙂
Any queries, please don’t hesitate to call me on 0277126898. Hope to see you there.
Cheers, Ian Templeman
We are delighted to spotlight Bay of Islands ITM as Opua Cruising Club’s Sponsor of the Month for October. As part of the wider ITM network – New Zealand’s leading co-operative of independent building supply specialists – Bay of Islands ITM brings trade-grade materials, local knowledge, and a community spirit right here in the mid-north.
What they do
Located at 2 Haruru Falls Road, Haruru, Bay of Islands ITM caters to both tradespeople and DIY enthusiasts with expertise in:
They operate Monday to Friday: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm, and Saturday: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Why they matter to our community
Bay of Islands ITM is more than just a supplier – they are a local institution. They describe themselves as “the only privately-owned and operated building supplies store in the mid north,” emphasising that they “cater to our tough Trade guys and the DIY’ers … from timber to paint … if we don’t have it, we’ll get it for you.”
Their team brings nearly 250 years of combined building industry experience, giving them the depth to advise on projects of all sizes.
Opua Cruising Club is proud to have Bay of Islands ITM supporting our local sailing community.
For more information visit www.itm.co.nz/stores/bay-of-islands-itm-paihia
The Opua Cruising Club’s Open Day on Sunday couldn’t have asked for better weather – warm, sunny, and just right for being out on the water! The clubhouse was buzzing from the start of the morning, with everyone tucking into delicious breakfasts and catching up with friends old and new. A highlight on shore was the official blessing of the club’s brand-new flagpole, with glasses of ice-cold champagne raised high to mark the occasion and set the tone for a season full of good sailing and good company.
Out on the water, the racing brought plenty of energy and laughter. For our ‘have a go’ guests who had never sailed before, it was an unforgettable introduction to the sport – the mix of sunshine, sea breeze, and the thrill of the race left plenty of wide smiles.
The combination of fun competition, friendly hospitality, and the beautiful Bay of Islands setting made the open day a true celebration of what the Opua Cruising Club is all about.
The OutFit North Fundraiser quiz night at Opua Cruising Club was a resounding success, drawing in a full house of supporters eager to rally behind a worthy cause.
Thanks to the incredible efforts of the organisers (with special thanks to Nadine and her team and Dan the quizmaster) and everyone who took part, over $10,000 was raised in one evening.
The funds will go directly to support three of the club’s much-loved members who are currently battling cancer, offering them practical help and a powerful reminder that they are not facing their fight alone. It was more than just a quiz night – it was an inspiring show of community strength, compassion, and hope.
Spring is finally here and with it comes the highly anticipated Opening Day of the 2025-26 sailing season at Opua Cruising Club.
The Commodore invites you to celebrate the start of the new sailing season on Sunday the 28th September 2025. There will be a full day of activities, including a special Race Day breakfast, opening of the new flagpole, champagne on deck, first race of the season, live music and more. This event is open to everyone, whether you’re a sailor or not. Come along, bring the family and spend some time looking out over the water from our beautiful clubhouse.
There will be a chance for anyone wanting to experience the thrill of being part of a yacht race to tag along as a passenger. We still have a few crew spots if you’d like to “Have a Go”. Just bring a hat, sunscreen, a warm top and flat shoes such as trainers. We’ll provide everything else you need.*
If that sounds too much like hard work, you can just sit back and relax, enjoy watching the racing and have a bite to eat. Food and drinks will be available from the club’s bistro, The Galley, throughout the day.
Remember, this event is open to everyone, so please tell your friends and family!
* Please note that booking ahead is advised. Please call Terry on 021 152 7584 for more information.
A winner has been chosen for the dinner for 2 at The Galley. We’ve reached out to them and we can now announce Jodi Campbell as our lucky winner!
Congratulations Jodi, we hope you have a lovely evening.
And to everyone else, we’ll be running more giveaways soon, so watch this space 🙂
There was a great turnout of Members for our Annual Draw on Saturday. Adele Earnshaw was one of 12 lucky Members to win one of an impressive array of prizes. She also won the auction for a very nice OCC Jacket that had been won by Brian Cripps and generously gifted back to the Club by him, thank you Brian!
As always, the Club social programme would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors, Opua Boatyard, who provided the top prize for boatyard services, which was won by Mark Boyle.
Photos taken by Paulette Smith.
Planning and momentum are building fast for the 16th Solo Trans-Tasman Challenge, set to start from Opua on 30 May 2026. As the Organising Authority, Opua Cruising Club is stepping into an exciting new chapter, carrying forward the legacy of this legendary race while putting our club and community at the very centre of international sailing attention.
First held in 1970, the Solo Trans-Tasman is the longest-running singlehanded ocean race in the Southern Hemisphere and still the only one of its kind. With a reputation for testing courage, seamanship, and endurance over 1,200 nautical miles of Tasman Sea, it has produced countless stories of resilience and adventure. This is not a race for professionals chasing silverware, but for Corinthian adventurers — everyday men and women who prepare for years to test themselves against one of the world’s great oceans.
Since our last update, the fleet has expanded to nine confirmed entries – five from New Zealand and four from Australia – with strong interest from more than ten additional skippers, including veterans keen for another go. This is shaping up to be a true trans-Tasman contest, with Kiwi yachts taking the last two wins and Australian sailors hungry to bring the trophy back across the ditch.
With divisions for Adventure Monohull, Adventure Multihull, and PHRF, plus the prestigious Sir Francis Chichester Trophy for line honours, the competition promises to be fierce and diverse.
Hosting the start from Opua brings many benefits:
In the week leading up to the start, OCC and the Bay of Islands community will enjoy a vibrant race village on the Opua Superyacht Dock, creating a celebratory atmosphere for sailors, members, and visitors alike.
The Solo Trans-Tasman Challenge offers businesses a chance to stand alongside one of the world’s great ocean races. Sponsorship provides:
Sponsorship can be tailored to suit companies of all sizes, from naming rights to supporting specific trophies, prizes, or digital initiatives. For local businesses and distributors, it’s a chance to connect directly with sailing and adventure audiences across both sides of the Tasman.
Entries are open until October 2025, with late entries accepted into March 2026. The Race Management team is working hard behind the scenes, and with the support of our members, sponsors, and community, this promises to be one of the most memorable editions yet.
We encourage all members to spread the word, get involved, and help us showcase OCC at its best. If you or your business would like to explore sponsorship opportunities, please get in touch.
Contact: race@transtasmanchallenge.org
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Julie Kidman
Solo Trans-Tasman Race Management
For more information, visit solo-tasman.co.nz
